Friday, February 20, 2009

Being Quiet is not an option

I know that I've often said that I won't speak of politics or religion. A few things have come to light recently that have me sitting up and taking notice, and not in a good way. For instance is this article I just read about President Obama's transportation secretary coming up with this "great" idea about charging us motorists for the miles we travel. Tax our Travel This is the excerpt from the link that has me scared, wary and concerned.
The system would require all cars and trucks be equipped with global satellite positioning technology, a transponder, a clock and other equipment to record how many miles a vehicle was driven, whether it was driven on highways or secondary roads, and even whether it was driven during peak traffic periods or off-peak hours.
This opens the door to abuse. This opens the door to our rights being curtailed, and in the future, taken away. Think I'm overreacting? I don't think so. I think they (ok, think X-files conspiracy) are testing the waters. How strong are we as Americans? How alert are we to threats to our way of life? I don't care if it's a 'fellow American' promoting the idea, it's still wrong. It still smacks of another time, another place, another war. I mean, think about the quoted section I posted above. Can you get more specific than secondary roads? Why would they need such detailed history? Americans love the phrase "getting away from it all". That freedom would be taken away in a very subtle and rational-sounding progression until it was too late. Can we get more watched? Start on this slippery slope and the answer is YES. It will lead to our travels being controlled and monitored. Human nature being what it is...you know it's possible. I'm going out on a limb here, and state that if the Nazi's had had this kind of technology, they would have used it against the Jews when they started culling the population to pursue their evil and twisted reality. If the Nazi's had had the ability to track every civilian vehicle back then, the Underground's success would never have been what it was and many more innocents would have died. Hitler was a German, one of their own. The enemy within is what we need to be ever vigilant against. Yes, I admit to being very worried about these ideas and my choice of example is a bit extreme but I feel strongly about this. And if that is not bad enough, there is something else that stinks in the wind. Re-instating the Fairness Doctrine. I will admit to not being totally fluent in its ramifications but the bottom line is this: I hope that this in no way can alter our access to Freedom of Speech. Again, this is sounding like a subtle infringement leading to total suppression of our rights -- say the wrong thing on the wrong topic in the 'wrong' way and talk show hosts will be penalized. And what will those penalties be? Well, we certainly know what happens in other countries - people disappear. I know, I know, the law was around before. But it was discarded for a reason. Why do we need it back? We have the freedom to change the channel at any time and we have choice. I personally do not enjoy talk radio, but that doesn't mean it should not exist. I think the choice should be there if I change my mind. Right? Maybe the talk show hosts of various political beliefs and TV evangelists are being overly worried, but then again complacency is in itself a dangerous thing. If we don't rattle our sabers and respond, indicating that we will defend that which make America so unique and special against those who would seek to undermine from within, then they will have won. I think preserving our freedoms is worth talking about. I mostly read and review romance books. In that genre, there are many new and established authors who are pushing the envelope of what is written. We are now seeing M/M romances, Menages, BDSM and other alternative living and loving lifestyles. Do you really think that if the spoken word is controlled, monitored and/or suppressed that the written word won't be far behind? I happen to love the changes and the freedom. I don't want to lose it. So, I'm spouting on a subject I never thought I would have a reason to - politics. Now my head hurts...

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Heart be still - My Stomach is in love...

I have been a fan of this romance cover model since I saw him on Sherrilyn Kenyon's
story of Alexion. I think it was him...it's been awhile. The one thing I have NOT forgotten is the cover model.

I found out his name about six months after the book came out and ever since, he's exploded onto the romance cover scene. He's been a Indian Warrior, A Scottish Highlander, a hunk in the Dark Hunter Universe;you name it, he's been it.

The one thing you don't get from romance book covers is a sense of the man -- the person behind the face and costume.

I have found a delightful link to share with you that will not only give you a glimpse of this person but you will hear his voice, his sense of humor and get to meet his very beautiful and gracious wife. THE most amazing talent he has, modeling notwithstanding, is his natural flair and technique for COOKING! He makes it look so easy.

Oh my Goodness! I want to eat at HIS HOUSE! LOLOL

Ready? Listen and get to know the great talent of NATHAN KAMP!

I Tried a Book Out of My Comfort Zone

Sometimes, reading out of my comfort zone is ... well, uncomfortable. The blurb of the book sounded rather interesting. The Fate of Mercy ...